Combined clothes washer and drier



July 16, 1929.

COMBINED CLOTHES wAsHEE AND DRIER J. C. NELSON ET AL 1.720.851

5 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 7, 1925 Bw E A. Ta/e :Ys

July 16, 1929.

J. C. NELSON ET AL COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND DRIER Filed vMay 7. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o0 QoooOOOGO O OOOOOOQcQ ooooOOOO O O OGOOOOOOQ oooQOOAOO O O OOOOOOooo oooOOOOOO O OOQOOOOQQ QOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQ oooOOOOO O O OOOOOOO .Z'Nve ToRs 5 S N n W July 16, 1929- J. c. NELSON Er Ax.

COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND DRIER Filed May 7', 1925 5 SheebS-Shee'b AJuly 16, 1929 J. c. NELSON ET AL COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND DRIER Filed May '7 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 //l/l///l//ll//////// lIIIllllll/l/I/llll TQRS (52% f77-Tof? EYs July 16, 1929. J. c. NELSON ET AL COMBI'NED CLOTHES WASHER AND DRIER Filed May 7. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

JADE C. NELSON AND PETER E. GELQHOF, F SYBACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOBS TO BYBACUSE WASHING MACHINE CORPORATION, OF SYBACUSE, NEW YORK, A. COB- PORATION 0F DmWABE.

COMBINED CLOTHES WASHER AND DBIER.

application mea my 7,

This invention relates to a combined clothes washer and centrifugal drier involving the use of juxtaposed upright -containers mounted upon a single supporting frame and containing the washing and drying mechanisms respectively adapted to be driven from the same source of ower which is mounted upon the frame pre erably in a plane direct- 1y beneath the containers.

The main object is to provide a compact washer and drier of the type as a unitary article of manufacture in which both of the mechanisms may be operated simultaneously or separately from the same source ofpower so that one batch of clothes may be operated upon by the Washing mechanism while a previously washed batch may be operated upon by the centrifugal drier thereby greatly increasing the output without extra work and permitting the clothes to bemore conveniently and directly transferred from one mechanism to the other without material loss of time or labor Another object is to reduce to a minimum the vibration of the machine incidental to .the operation of the centrifugal drier particularly when rotated at the necessary high speed.

Another object is to provide means Whereby the washlng fluid may be transferred from either container to the other or discharged entirely from the machine as may be required in the various steps of the washing and drying process.

A further object is to provide simple and eiiicient means whereby the rotary element of thecentrifugal drier either with or without the clothes therein, may be removed by upward axial displacement or replaced by reverse movement and automatically locked to its drying element.

Other objects anduses relating to specic parts of the device will be brought out in the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan of a combined clothes Washer and centrifugal drier embodying the various features of the invention except that the cover for the washing vat is removed to show the interior Washing 'mech- 192s. serial 1ro. 28,564.

anism, a portion of a laundry tray being also shown directly under the outer edge of the drain board of the drier.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectlonal view, partly broken away, taken on l1ne 2 2, Figure l.

Figure 3 1s an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view partly broken away taken on line 1 -4, Figure l, the laundry tray being omitted. i

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken in the plane of line 5 5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional View taken in the plane of line 6 6, Figure 4, mainly in a plane below the containers for the washing and drying mechanisms but showing in addition the full tripod construction of the frame, the motor and the conduits for the circulation of the Washing fluid from one container to the other and, the discharge nozzle leading to the exterior of the machine. f v

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 7 7, Fig ure 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the pump taken in the plane vof line 8 8, Figure 6.

Figure 9 is an enlarged top plan of the cap for the revoluble clothes container of the centrifugal drier.

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 10 10, Figure 1.

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 11 11, Figure 1.

Figures 12 and 13 are enlarged detail sectional views taken respectively in the planes of lines 12 12 and 13 13, Figure 6. As illustrated, this machine comprises a main supporting frame of the tripod type having a substantiall horizontal platform 1 carried by a p urality of, in this instance, three legs 2- which are arranged at the angles of an isosceles triangle and in addition to being secured to the platform 1 by bolts 3- are also connected to each other some distance below the platform by braces 4 and -4- extending along the sides of the triangle and' having their ends secured to the le by bolts -5-.

The lower ends of t e legs are provided with castors 2- adaptedto rest upon the Hoor to ermit the" machine as a whole to be move from place to place along the floor as may be more convenient for the operator as, for example, when using the machines in connection with stationary laundr trays in a manner hereinafter describedl7 The platform -1 is of suicient horizontal area within its marginal edge to receive and support a relative y large circular washing vat or tub -6- and a relatively small circular drier vat or tub ,-7- side-by side in fixed relation to each other with the the base of the triangle midway between the adjacent angles.

The vertical axes of the vats 6 and -7 are wholl within the triangle so that the' angles at t e base of the triangle will lie in vertical planes substantially co-incildent with the adjacent sides of the vat 6- and at equal distances from the axis thereof while the angle at the apex of the triangle will be in a vertical plane substantially coincident with the corresponding side of the periphery of the vat 7 and therefore the legs -2 which are secured to the angles of the triangular bracing frame may be substantially straight vertically and se# cured to the adjacent portions of the peripheries of the vats -6- and -7- and also to the adjacent portions of the perimeter of the platform -1- which follows closely the circular outlines of both vats.

'llhe object of this triangular supporting and bracing means for the combined washer and drier is to bring all of the mechanisms to be brought into a unitary structure supported on the floor at three bearing points for stabilizing purposes and also to reduce to a minimum any vibration incidental to the joint or independent operation of both the washing and drying mechanism or either of said mechanisms separately asA will be hereinafter more fully explained, it being understood that the platform l serves as a rigid tie connection between the two vats -6- and 7 to hold them against relative movement and in differentiating the drying mechanism from the washing mechanism it will be observed that the distinction is only nominal, the washing mechanism being employed to loosen the dirt and other foreign matter from the clothes by alternate pressure and suction while the centrifugal drying mechanism serves the double purpose'of freeing the dirt and other foreign matter in solution from the clothes and also for dryin the' clothes so that the :latter may reasona ly be termed a supplemental washer as well as a drier.

Washing mechanism.

\-In addition to the vat -6- the washing mechanism comprises a plurality of, in this instance, two inverted cup shaped dashers or cups -8- operatively connected toa yoke 9 which in turn is adjustably mounted on a vertically mounted plunger -10-, the latter being reciprocally movable in a suitable gland -11- in the bottom of the vat 6 co-axial therewith while the cups `8 are mounted upon the yoke 9 at one side of said axis for engagement with the clothes and Washing Huid in thc vat as the plunger and cups are reciprocatcd vertically.

Any suitable means may be employed for imparting vertical reciprocatory motion and also rotary motion to the upright shaft or plunger -l0-, said means being partially shown in the drawings as consisting of an electric motor l2- securcd to the underside of the platform -1- "and having its armature shaft -l3- connected by a uni- Versal joint -l4- to a co-axial shaft l5- which is journaled in a suitable gear case -16- on the underside of the platform -1-, said shafts -l3 and -15- being located at one side of the axis of the vatV -6- and parallel with a direct line be* tween the axes of both of the vats -6- and A pinion -17- is secured to the driving shaft 15- within the gear case -16 and meshes with a gear -18- which is secured to the hub of a second pinion -19, the latter being loosely mounted upon a counter shaft -20- so as to permit the gear and pinion to rotate relatively to said shaft forl a purpose presently described.

The pinion -19 meshes with a relatively large gear 2l-,which is loosely mounted upon a crankshaft 2Q- for relative rotary movement and also has an independent axial movement into and out of clutching engagement with a clutch member -23- having an elongated -hub journaled in a bearing 24ein the adjacent end of the gear case H16- and carrying at its outer end a crank arm -25-.

The hub of the clutch member -23- together with the crank arm -25- are keyed to each other and to the shaft -22- by means of a key or pin 26, Figure (i, to cause those parts to rotate in unison.

The crank arm -25- is operatively connected in any well known manner to the intermediate .portion of a rock arm or lever 27- extending radially to and at one side of the axis of the vat -6- below the platform 1- and having one end pivotally connected at -28- to the outer edge of the platform and its inner end suitably connected' to the lower end of the plruger -10- whereby as the shaft -22- w1th the crank arm -25 thereon is rotated thru the medium of the gear train and clutch previousl described rocking motion wlll be 1mparte to the yrock arm or lever -27- for reciprocating the plunger land there-- by effecting a corresponding reciprocatory movement of the yoke 9 and cups 8 carried thereby.

A coiled spring -29 may be connected in any well known manner to the lever 27- and to the frame of the machine for retract-ing the inner end of the lever and parts carried thereby upwardly and thereby assisting the motor in lifting those parts.

The counter shaft -20- is located between the axes of the vats 6 and 7- and approximately in a direct line between said axes while the driving shaft land crank shaft 22- are located at opposite sides of and parallel with the counter shaft 20- and therefore at opposite sides of the vertical axis of the vat 6 and plunger -10- while the motor -12- Aand gear case -16- containing the gear train connections between the driving shaft and lever -27 are also located at opposite sides of the lever -27- and plunger 10- so that tlie load incidental to the operation of the cups -8- for Washing purposes is nearly in the center of the power plant on the underside of the platform -1- for the purpose of distributing the power transmitting mechanism more evenly around the yplunger and thereby introducing a more effective balance and consequent reduction of vibration in the operation of the washing mechanism.

As previously stated the clutch gear -21- is movable axially into and out of clutching engagement with the clutch member 23- and for this purpose is provided with aper y tures -80 adapted to receive studs 3lon the member -23- when the two parts are brought together for transmitting motion from the pinion 19 to the crank shaft -22.

The hub of the clutch gear -21- is provided With an annular groove -32- for receiving a shifting member -33- which is connected to one end of a shifting rod -34-, Figure 6, said split rod being mounted in a suit-able bearing in the adjacent side of the gear case 16- and havin its outer end connected to one end of a shi ing lever -35-- This lever -35- is pivoted at 36 to the gear case -16- and has its other end connected by a link -37 to a crank arm It is now evident that while the motor t -12- is in operation positive motion will be transmitted to the gear clutch 2land that if the hand lever .-41- is shifted in one direction the clutch gear -21- will be forced into engagement for operating the crank shaft -22- and thereby reciprocating the plunger -10- with the cups 8- thereon for washing purposes While on the other hand if the hand lever -41-isyshifted in the opposite direction the clutch gear -21 will be withdrawn from engagement with the member 2S- to be operated independently thereof to stop the reciprocation of the plunger and parts carried thereby.

entrfugal drier.

An upright cylindrical cage -42- is rotatably mounted within the vat 7- eo axial therewith but clear from the walls thereof to avoid friction therewith and coinprises a perforated bell T455- having its lower end secured to a circular supporting plate or bottom -44- and its upper end e provided with a concavo-convex cap or lid -45- removably mounted thereon but frictionally engaged therewith to be rotated thereby in a manner hereinafter described.

The counter shaft 20- is connected by a universal joint -46- to an axial eXtension shaft -20- which is journaled in one side of a gear case 47 and is operatively connected by a beveled gear -48- and pinion -48 to an upright shaft -50- which is journaled in a suitable gland -51 in the platform 1 co-axial with the axis ofthe cage -42- and has its opposite end p-rovided with a hexagonal or other angular head -52 engaging in a similarly formed angular recess -53- in the bottom plate 44- for transmitting rotary motion from said upright shaft 50- to the cage 42- and permitting said cage to be removed from the head 52- by upward displacement when desired.

The gear case -47- is secured to the underside of the platform -1- as shown in Figure 4 and is provided in its lower side with an adjustable end thrust bearing screw -54- for the lower end of the upright shaft 50- and thereby to hold the rotary head -52- out of frictional engagement with the upper end of the gland -51- which is preferably of the stuiling box type to prevent leakage of water from the bottom of the vat -7- thru the gland. Suitable means is provided for controlling the. operation of, the centrifugal drier mechanism independently of the washing mechanism while the motor is in operation and as previously stated the gear 18- which is driven continuously by the motor thru the medium of the pinion -17- is loosely mounted upon the shaft to rotate `independentlyI thereof and is provided with a conical clutch face 55eadapted to be engaged by a conical clutch member -56- on one end of a brake drum -57- which is splined on the shaft -20 for axial movement and is spring-pressed 1n one direction by a coiled spring 5S- for :trict-ionally engaging the clutch member -56- with theclutch gear -18- for transmitting motion to said shaft -20- and thence thru the shaft 20- and gears 48 and -48- to the upright shaft 50- for rotating the cage -42, the clutch member 5G- -being riveted' or otherwise secured to the hub of the brake drum -57- as shown in Figure 4.

The brake drum 5 7- is provided with an outwardlyV projecting annular flange of the clutch shifting means.

\ An upright rock shaft is journaled in' suitable bearings in the gear case -1 6-, Figure 6, and has its lower end provided with a. crank arm -61- pivotally connected at 62- to the brake ring 59- and its upper end provided with a crank .arm -63- connected by a link -64- to a crank arm G5-- on the lower end of an uprio'ht rock shaft *no6-which extends vertically thru the tubular shaft -39- co-axial therewith and has its upper end journaled in the adjacent side of frame -67 and 1s provided with a hand lever -68- by which it may be turned for shifting the clutch member 56- into and out of clutching engagement withv the clutch gear -18- and also for moving the brake ring 59T into and out of engagement with the frlction face -57- of the brake drum -'-57-.

The frame 67- embraces a. portion of the periphery of the upper end of the washing vat -6- and may be rlgidly secured thereto by brazing or other suitable fastening means and extends entirely around the upper end of the drier vat -7- to which it may be also rigidly secured by brazing or otherwise to form a rigid tie between the upper ends of both vats for holding them in fixed relatiom' said frame being provided with a central cylindrical opening -69- of suciently large diameter to permit the cage a2- to be withdrawn there- `it to be opened.

through by upward dslacement when de'- sired or replaced by ment into interlocking eent wit the driving head -52-.

A hd or cover 7G- for the opening 6B- is hin d at `one side at 71- to the frame -6 at a point be ond the adjacent side of the vat -7- an when closed is adapted to engage the upper inner faces of the walls of t e opening 69 to form a substantially water-tight joint therewith or it is held in place by a locking bolt #-72- and spring -72r-, both guided in a bushmg 7i-l in the adjacent side of the frame -67, the outer end of the bolt bein rovided with a handle 75- by whic it may be withdrawn from its locking position against the action of its retracting spring -73-, Fig. 3. Y

The lid -70- is also concavo-convex in cross section and is rovided at the side nearest the locking bo t -72- with a handle 70f by which it may be opened and closed. The lever-GS- which controls the operation of the centrifugal drier cage -42- is provided with an extension -68`- movable into and out of l"engagement with the upper face of the adjacent side of the lid -7) for locking said lid in its closed position when the lever (58- is adjusted to cause the rotation of the cage -42- and to release said lid when the'lever is adjustownward dis lace'- v ed to stop theoperation of the cage, but

the lid -70- cannot be raised until it is further unlockedby the withdrawal of the bolt -72- thereby reducing the liability opening the lid while the cage withk the clothes thereln is being rotated, it 'being understood that when the lever -6S-. is aiisted to stop the rotation of the e it w 72- to releasethe lid `f70 and permit The cap A5- covering the upper open end ofthe cage -42- is centrally journaled by anti-'friction bearings -76- upon a suitable supporting stud -77- on the undertionally lengaged with the'upper end of the cage it will rotate freely therewith and will also serve to hold the cage against excessive vibration in vcase the clothes therein should be slightly heavier on one side than on the other while the cage is being rotated at high speed.

The upright perforated walls of the cage ratio of the driving mechanism for the cage be necessary `to `withdraw the bolt,

Y being such as to rotate said cage at a suiciently high speed to expel practically all of the moisture from the clothes by centrif- `ugal` force so that after a comparatively brief periodv of operation the clothes are practically dry and more orpless fluffy ready for smoothing by a suitable ironing mechanism. v A

` Suitable means' is also provided for as` sisting this centrifugal drying of the clothes during theyrotation of the' cage and for this purpose the lid -70 is provided with a circumferential while the cover -1-42- is also series of openings -78- plate --45-A for the cage provided `with openings v through the clothes in the revolvin 'the plump,

series of vanes or ribs 80- extendin .outwardly from the center thereof and pre erably on the upper face of the cover -45- and arranged so as to create circulation of -air from the top downwardly through the y leaving more or less air space in and around ure 4 that the brake ldriven thereby,

the axis of the cage and permitting circulatlon of air therethrough leaving the clothes 1n arsubstantially dry fluffy condition;`

It will be observed upon reference to Fig-- shoe +59- operates directly against the brake surface -57 of the brake drum -57- to disengage the clutch member ,56'- from the clutch gear 1 8- against the action of the retracting spring -58- which serves to retract both the clutch member 56- and brake drum -57` under which conditions the application of the brake simultaneously with the withdrawal of the clutch member -56- will retard and stop the rotation of the shafts --2`0--r and -20- and cage L12--l all of which greatly expe-` ditesthe centrifugal drying operation and enables both the brake and clutch to be controlled by the same lever -68- whichv 1s co-axial with and in proximity to thel` washer controlling lever -41- as shown` in Figure 2 thus permitting/bothY levers to beoperated from the same side of the machine. t t

This proXimateco-axial voperation of the ,two-levers -41- and 68; also permits the use' of co-axial detents *8l-rand an interposed coiled spring -82- arranged within a socket in the adjacent portionof ,i the framel G7- for engaging in rece'sses in the adjacent faces of the levers 4land -68- to frictio'nally hold them in the-ir different positions of adjustment, the shaft -66- and lever -68- carried thereby havingslightly vertical movement against the action of a retracting spring .-183- beand -,-65- to adjust the engagement of the extension -68- with the upper facev of the lid -70- when the latter is closed and also to yassist in frictionally holding the shaft -66- and tubular shaft Q39- against accidental displacement from their adjusted positions.

fFluid' circulating Suitable means is provided for withdrawing the washing or .rinsing uid from both of the vats -'6-` and -7`- and also for transferring the suds or other fluid from the drier vat to the washing vat and for these purposes the bottom of the washing vat 6 is provided with an outlet nipple 84.- t which is connected one end of a valve case -85- havings its other end con- A nected by a conduit -86- to the inlet side -87- of a' rotary pump -88-, thelatter having its impeller -88- mounted directly upon the driven shaft -15-, the pump cas-' ing forming, in this instance, a part of the gear case -16- as shown more 4clearly in Figures 6 and 8. f

The conduit 86- is connected by a branch .89- to anopening -90 in the bottom of the drier' vat -7- to form a liquid tight joint therewith thereby establishing open communication between the interior of the drier vat -'-7--- and inlet l pump -`88-, see Figs. 6 and -87- of the 13.

The inlet opening of the valve case 85 is controlled by a valve 91 `which is yieldingly mounted upon a crank arm 92'- of a ,rock shaft -93-, the latter j being journaled in one side of the valve case -85- and provided with an external hand lever 94 by which the valve may be opened and closed at will as -may'be required to retain or to discharge the water irl-and from the vat -6-. v

The outlet side of the pump -8- is connected by a conduit -95- and nipple -95- to a valve chamber x-96- in the frame -67-, said Valve chamberl having branch openings -97,- and -97 leading from opposite'sides thereof and controlled by a hollow valve -98- having an external operating member -98-- and a yradial opening -99- which may be brought into registration with one or the other of the the direction of iow of water from the valve chamber. v l 1 yThe branch passage 97- 1s connected vby an elbow -100- to an inlet opening in one side of the washing vat fi-near the upper end thereof whilel the branch passage- -97- is connected to a dischargel nozzle lao 101 adapted to discharge over a Water table 710% into a stationary laundry tray -A- or other receptacle. j

i In Figures `6 and 11 the valve --98- is adjusted to divert the water from the pump into the nozzle 101- but by turning it one-half turn the opening -99- may be registered with the branch Q7- t0 divert the water from the pump back into the washing vat -6.

f The drain board 102- extends under the adjacent end of the frame --67- at the side of the vat -7- opposite the vat 6- and is preferably hinged at -104l to said frame and provided with opposite concentric slots -105- for receiving clamping bolts -106- Figure 1, by which the drain boardl may be tilted to different angles to or from a horizontal plane and locked in any position of adjustment as may be reuired to direct the water discharged from t e nozzle --101- into a suitable receptacle as the vat -A-. i

Operation. The clothes to be washed together with a suitable washing fluid forming what may be termed suds, is placed in the vat 6 beneath the cups -8- under which conditions the valve -91- will, of course, be

' closed to retain the washing fluid in the vat.

The electricY motor 12- is then started by the operation of any suitable controlling switch thereby operating the pump S8- i ge` -18-, its pinion -19- and gear Throwing the clutch`gear 21-- into en.- gagement with the clutch member w23-- will cause the operation of the lever 27-d and plunger Q10-#carrying the cups -8-- for washing the clothes in the vat by alternate pressure and suction as the cups are reciprocated vertically into and out of engagement with the clothes.

As soon as the clothes'are properly washed in the vat -6- they may be withdrawn therefrom by hand across the frame G7- and into the cage 4:2* which has been previously openedfor such purpose by openingthe lid 7;0- carrying the rotary cover When a sufficient quantity of the previously washed clothes are placed within the revoluble cage -42- substantially iilling the same, the lid -70- with the cover plate -45- thereon is closed and locked in its closed position with the cover plate -45-- frictionallyv engaged with the upper edge of the cage 42- to rotate therewith, it being understood that the lid will then be firmly held against rotary movement.

The lever w68- and its rock shaft 66M are then turned in the proper directio for releasing the brake shoe -59- and simultaneously engaging the clutch -56- with theclutch gear 18 for transmitting rotary motion from said gearto the shaft 20- and thence thru the shaft -20- and upward shaft 5G- to the cage 4Q-- which with the wet clothes therein is driven at relatively high speed to expel practically all of the moisture from the clothes thru the perforated walls of the cage and into the vat As previously stated the lower end ofA the vat is in open communication with the inlet side of the pump -88- thru the pipe --894-4 and owing to the continued operation of the pump -88- the washing Huid accumulating in the vat -7- will be withdrawn therefrom and forced thru the pipe -95- into the valve chamber 96- and by adjusting the valve --98- to the position shown in Figures 6 and 11 the washing Huid withdrawn from the vat -7- will be forced outwardly thru the passage -97- and nozzle -lOlinto one or the other of the laundry trays -A- or into any other suitable. receptacle or waste pipe.

Or, if it is desired to withdraw the washing fluid' from the vat -6- it may be accomplished by simply opening the valve Q1-and allowing the iuid in the vat to pass through the conduit `86- into the inlet side of the pump -88- from which it will be expelled thru the pipe into the valve chamber and thence out thru the passage -97 and nozzle -101-.

On the other hand, assuming that it is desired to return the suds water accumulating in the vat -7- and that the valve -91- is closed, the valve -98- may be reversed to cut o communication between the conduit -.-95- and branch -97- and to open communication between said conduit and the branch -97- thus permitting the water to be vthrown directly from the drying vat 7; and discharged into the upper portion of the washing vat -6- thus permitting the re-use of the same suds as long as may be desired withoutyarying the amount" of water in the washing vat and at the same time maintaining a continuous withdrawal of the Huid from the clothes in the drying vat.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that as soon as the previously washed clothes have been transferred from the washing vat -6- to the drier cage 4Q-and during the centrifugal drying operation an additional batch. of soiled clothes may be placed in the washing vat and operated upon by the washing mechanism without disturbing the operation of the drier cage, all of which greatly increases the out! f a` vat, a clothes receptacle rotatably mounted ing the finest of fabrics or mutilation of any a vat, a clothes receptacle rotatably mounted parts thereof and at the same time `ermitting either mechanism tol be operated indep pendently of the other or simultaneously as Ymay be gequired.

What we claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, a vat having a cover, a clothes receptacle rotatable within the vat, a lid journaled on the cover to center the receptacle and rotate with the receptacle relatively to the vat, a shaft operatlvely connected to the bottom of the receptacle, and means for rotating the shaft whereby the receptacle is rotated.

2. In an apparatus of the class described,

in the vat, a cover for the vat, a cover for the clothes receptacle rotatably carried by the cover for the vat and ada ted to contact with and center the upper en of the receptacle, and means independent of the cover for the receptacle for positively rotating the receptacle.

'-3. In an apparatus of the class described,

in the vat, a cover for the vat, a cover for the clothes receptacle adapted to contact with the upiper end of the receptacle, means indepen e positively rotating the receptacle, and means supporting the cover of the receptacle permitting its free rotation in contactwith the upper end of the receptacle. v

4. In an apparatus of the classv described, a vat, a clothes receptacle rotatably mounted in thevat, a cover for the vat, a cover for the clothes receptacle adapted to contact with the upper end of the receptacle, means supporting the cover of the receptacle permitting its free rotation in contact with the upper end of the receptacle, and additional means connected to thelower end of the receptacle for positively rotating the receptacle.

In Witness whereof we have hereto set our hands this 29th day of April 1925.

JABEZ C. NELSON.

PETER E. GELDHOF. f

nt of the cover of the receptacle for f 

